KRE vs VYM
State Street SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, KRE or VYM?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. KRE led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. KRE is less concentrated, with 13.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | KRE | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $4.1B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.17% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 161 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +14.46%Best | +13.15% |
| 1Y Return | +16.46% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.61%Best | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.74% | +12.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.7% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -71.2% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,219 | $17,750Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 13.9%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 19, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 10, 2026 (19.8 years).
KRE vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 19.8 years both funds cover.
KRE vs VYM Performance
State Street SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year KRE returned +16.46% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, KRE is up 14.46% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
Over three years, KRE compounded at +22.61% per year against +17.99% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +5.74% and +12.16% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.91% annualized vs +2.67%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KRE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.7% compared with 14.5% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -71.2% for KRE and -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KRE charges 0.35% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $4 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KRE currently yields 2.17% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
69.3% of KRE's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.2% of VYM's money is in holdings KRE also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
69 positions in common, counted across the 160 positions we hold weights for in KRE and 603 in VYM, against full books of 161 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 501 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for KRE (95.3% of the fund), and 89 for KRE that do not appear in VYM (29.7%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in KRE | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TFCTruist Financial Corp. | 1.30% | 0.26% | 1.04% |
| MTBM&t Bank Corp. | 1.38% | 0.15% | 1.23% |
| CFGCitizens Financial Group Inc. | 1.39% | 0.12% | 1.27% |
| PNFPPinnacle Financial Partners In Common Stock Usd1.0 | 1.44% | 0.06% | 1.38% |
| RFRegions Financial Corp. | 1.37% | 0.11% | 1.26% |
| CFRCullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. | 1.43% | 0.04% | 1.39% |
| SSBSouthstate Bank Corporation | 1.39% | 0.04% | 1.35% |
| HBANHuntington Bancshares Inc./Oh | 1.28% | 0.15% | 1.13% |
| BPOPPopular Inc | 1.38% | 0.04% | 1.34% |
| UMBFUmb Financial Corp | 1.38% | 0.04% | 1.34% |
69.3% of KRE is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, KRE or VYM?
KRE has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KRE or VYM?
Over the past year KRE returned +16.46% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), KRE annualized +2.67% vs +6.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KRE or VYM?
KRE has been the more volatile fund at 26.7% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: KRE -71.2% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both KRE and VYM?
KRE and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between KRE and VYM?
69.3% of KRE's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.2% of VYM's is in holdings KRE also owns. They hold 69 positions in common, counted across the 160 positions we hold weights for in KRE and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, KRE or VYM?
KRE yields 2.17% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than KRE?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. KRE led over 3Y, VYM over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. KRE is less concentrated, with 13.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.